How do you install hardware drivers for Linux?

A:

Quick Answer

Most hardware drivers for Linux are included within the Linux operating system itself. If the hardware driver you require is not installed, plug in the new hardware manually, wait for the operating system to detect it, and simply wait for the system to install the driver.

Linux is a free, open-source operating system, so any user with sufficient knowledge of the system's components can develop a wide range of programs for it to improve its functionality. Most of the hardware drivers for Linux are developed by hobbyists and loyalists, but some hardware drivers are developed by the hardware manufacturers themselves and are included within the system. However, for certain hardware, such as graphics cards from Nvidia or AMD, there are proprietary drivers that require extra effort to install.

Depending on the Linux distribution, such as Ubuntu, Fedora or Linux Mint, you must search for programs within the system such as Additional Drivers or Driver Manager. From there, you can select the type of device and drivers necessary to make the hardware function properly. However, there is no guarantee that the drivers you seek exist for the device, since some manufacturers choose not to support the Linux operating system at all.